3B David Wright, New York Mets: If you were told David Wright would have a .333 AVG and 12 SB at the end of May, you'd think he was one of the top players in the game. Unfortunately, you'd be incorrect. He has a mere 3 HRs and that is not what made him a Top 5 fantasy pick. Flip the HRs and SBs, then he'd be satisfying his owners.
2B Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies: With his 5 SB, Utley's first two months following his off-season hip surgery produced 11 HRs and a .294 AVG. He has been everything he was expected to be following a late surge into the early second round of most fantasy drafts. He's been top 10 in most scenarios.
1B Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees: When the player finishes the first two months of the season with 16 HRs and 44 RBIs, you at least say he is delivering. Whether you think a player deserves $180 million or not is entirely irrelevent.
SP John Lester, Boston Red Sox: A 12-strikeout gem had me ready to praise Lester and provide proof his season ERA of 5.65 was hiding a May recovery. No such luck. For May, Lester's ERA was 5.86. His peripherals say he should be better - 74 Ks in 65.1 innings, 3.0 K:BB, 1.3 GB/FB, but his HRs are through the roof. I'd probably buy.
C Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles: A second oh-fer in three games ends Wieters first major league weekend at 2-11. His three Ks versus zero walks and no HRs makes me think he may have been the victim of over-hype. Maybe. After all no one stole a base on him.
1B Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres: 20 HRs through May. This may be the most surprising statistic of the 2009 season. Or would it be the four doubles he has after hitting 32 in 2008, 46 in 2007 and 38 in 2006?
SP Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves: Without one of the hottest hitters in the line-up, the rookie mowed down 9 Diamondbacks for his 1st major league victory. In addition to the Upton-less line-up, the D'backs also hit rookie Gerardo Parra third. Throw-in two groundball outs versus six flyball ones, and you can color me skeptic on Medlen.
8th Inning Set-up: Bobby Parnell (10) and J.J. Putz NYM (10), Chris Sampson HOU (6), Ryan Madson PHI (12), Jose Mijares MIN (6), Mark DeFelice MLW (6), Edward Mujica SD (6), Mike Wuertz OAK (5), Jeremy Affeldt SF (11), Sean White SEA (4)
Saves: Francisco Rodriguez NYM (14), LaTroy Hawkins HOU (6), Fernando Rodney DET (10), Brad Lidge PHI (12), Joe Nathan MIN (9), Trevor Hoffman MLW (13), Bobby Jenks CHW (12), Heath Bell SD (15), Brian Wilson SF (12)
Blown Saves: Andrew Bailey OAK (3), David Aardsma SEA (1)